Notes from the AAFCS Meeting on Program Enhancement in
the Human Sciences/Family and Consumer Sciences

Views of Upper Administrators
Session Title: What Do Central Administrators Think about FCS?

AAFCS National Conference
Charlotte, NC
June 24, 2006

Participants on the Panel:

James Netherton, President
Carson-Newman College

Nancy Belk, Chancellor
University of Nebraska – Omaha

Virginia Caples, Former Provost and Former Interim President, current Director of Cooperative Extension
Alabama A & M University

James Netherton

• We strive for excellence in education – what is good for our students.
• The program must have a good fit with the university mission; there must be consistency in mission.
• Private institutions cost more and have to deliver more.
• The program and its faculty must be invested in the students, caring for students so that graduates increase the reputation of the institution.
• The degree of competence and professionalism of the faculty in a discipline and in programs makes a difference.
• Faculty must be good citizens of the institution, in addition to being good citizens of their disciplines and professions. Faculty should embrace an overall university perspective.
• Graduates of the program should make our society a better society – as a nation and as a global society. They (not sure who he meant: graduates & or faculty) should be servant leaders in society.
• Faculty should be a model for our students as to how they ought to live and work.
• Faculty must exhibit a willingness to embrace change as higher education units.
• We must teach our students to embrace change, while retaining those elements that are important.
• Interdisciplinary work is valuable and valued. FCS tends to be a leader in this area.

Nancy Belk

• There is a national dialogue on organization of FCS among public higher education administrators more than discussion of any other discipline because it crosses the arts and sciences.
• Faculty should be concerned about public policy and improving the quality of life for others.
• You must demonstrate the social and economic benefits of your programs.
• You must be perceived as being worthwhile and contributing. Ask what value do we bring to the table?

Virginia Caples

• The program must be enterprising, able to demonstrate accountability and the mission of the unit must be relevant.
• Contents of programs must be cutting-edge and global.
• National recognition is important.
• Faculty productivity is key in the eyes of upper administration.
• FCS administrators must be:
• Articulate, persuasive, commanding and unshakeable. They must have passion and vision that is supported by all FCS faculty and staff.
• Able to provide fact-based evidence of why and how our programs impact society and serve the greater good.
• Future focused, looking at the long term, shaping our programs proactively to influence the institution.
• Astute analysts of central administrators on their campuses, knowing what their philosophy is and how they think about your programs.
• Respected by other deans
• Tie what we do to broad issues.
• Research must be assessed as excellent.
• Faculty members should be members of national academies of . . . . Our profession has no academy members.
• Competitive with grants from federal agencies
• Faculty reviewers on federal grants
• Practice must match philosophy and vision.

Compiled by: Stephen R. Jorgensen, Dean
College of Human Environmental Sciences
University of Missouri – Columbia
and
Virginia B. Vincenti, Professor
Department of Family and Consumer Sciences
University of Wyoming

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